PONTARDAWE, Wales—The global materials engineering group Wall Colmonoy has completed a major upgrade to its casting foundry here to improve efficiency and reduce its environmental footprint. The facility investment of £600,000 is partly supported by Welsh and European funding with a £150,000 contribution from the Economy Futures Fund.

The upgrade includes new induction melting equipment and magnetically screened furnaces. The furnaces offer increased capacity and reduced processing times, due to improved reliability and reduced downtime. The upgrade also incorporates better controls on pouring practices with data-driven monitoring sensors and software.

“It is very satisfying to successfully complete the project, with a brand new high-specification foundry," says Andrew Williams, project leader. "The investment puts us on the leading edge of cast alloy melting technology and helps us facilitate our drive for innovative growth to meet the increase in global demand for our castings.”

With the disruption of global supply chains following the pandemic, Wall Colmonoy has seen increased demand from EU and UK customers for its engineered cast or fully machined components which are designed to optimize wear, corrosion, abrasion and heat-resistance properties. The foundry supports multiple casting methods including Investment, Centrifugal, Sand Cast, and Vacuum Cast Processes across such industries as food, steel, glass, aerospace, and oil & gas.

This significant upgrade is part of a strategic investment program at Wall Colmonoy, which includes the purchase of advanced measuring systems, upgraded machinery, such as a new Hurco 5-Axis Milling Machine, and a Desktop Metal Shop System for additive manufacturing.

Companies in Wall Colmonoy manufacture Colmonoy, Wallex surfacing and Nicrobraz brazing products, castings, and engineered components for the automotive, mining, energy and other industrial sectors.